Girl from the Hamptons

Chapter 20

Decisions, Decisions Decisions

A SHORT FILLER CHAPTER WHILE THE WAITING FOR THE LAST TWO EPISODES.

The two couples and their band of merry men settled back into their routine once spring break was over. All decided summer classes were automatic, so no one made any extra plans for the summer. Even Charlie, because of Huck and his friendship with the others in the group, decided to stay on campus during the summer. He and Huck were working on something but none of the others dared ask. They had turned a room in the basement of the house into their personal "tech cave".

They settled in and tried to leave as much of the outside crazy outside as possible. Everyone had relaxed somewhat but kept their guard up.

Maya, on the other hand had not relaxed she was still coiled like a viper but putting the end to John Carmichael was becoming more of a problem than she wanted. Although she had someone in the Carmichael compound she could not risk their exposure if something obviously sinister happened to him. On the other hand, she knew he had to be handled so Olivia and Fitz could have any sort of a normal life…...a life without looking over their shoulders. She was waiting for the "right "time where nothing would be traced back or connected in any way to Olivia and Fitz. For now, she decided to keep her power dry…...wait it out…...The perfect opportunity would present itself. In the meantime, the immediate threat had been neutralized because of the security measures they had in place.

Maya wanted to avoid collateral damage to others but if that became impossible she was willing to compromise that's why she settled back in a holding pattern. John Carmichael had a limited life expectancy and Maya was the one with the strings, the control. She had time… John …well he has a very short shelf life.

Everyone finished up their summer classes with two weeks of down time before fall classes started. Abby went back to Scotland with Stephen to spend those two weeks…. Fitz and Olivia decided to stay in New York.

Two things they both wanted to do during this break… spend some time at both the UN and at the Anderson New York office. Exposure to both would help make the decision about their future. They were young, driven and inquisitive about the things that would govern their future. They wanted to have as much real- life...…hands-on information on hand as possible. They also decided it was important to spend some quality time with Ms. Mary and Granny Bess….

Working for the UN was a good thing…... contribution to making the world a better place for all …not a lot of money but a good thing and a very needed thing...

Fitz had a trust fund…...Olivia also but not as big as his…... They had free housing, but both wanted to earn their way while continuing to experience some of the things they had as children …the things their parents talked about. Some experiences were business some were experiences that made good changes….…all were changes that helped more than hindered... …. They were both smart and driven to make a difference but in making a difference they had to consider their children….to make sure their children had the same financial foundation as they had.

Working for Anderson may not give that feel good feeling, but it would provide a very good living for them. The decision could be a selfish one since they had not earned any of the conveniences that they now enjoy. The perks that had been a part of their lives for so long.

The two had a lot of thinking to do the next two years…deciding the right direction for them and their children. They both needed something that would stimulate them…. would amassing more wealth do that …? Would the quest for wealth fuel the desire for more wealth until the desire was ultimate wealth and absolute power?

They both wanted to leave a positive mark, but one needs to be in the game to help. Which path was best suited for them…? the humanitarian one or creating change through wealth and power. This was a tricky needle to thread but thankful they had family member who would expose them to both sides …. maybe they could do both.

Both buildings the two were visiting were impressive. Anderson's Corporate offices were located on the top ten floors of one of New York's best addresses. The UN…. well it had its own building.

In both places the two had clout…Olivia's parents at the UN ….Fitz' family at Anderson. It was difficult for either not to be biased about either one. Th UN trip was first since it's harder to schedule semi-unrestricted access that the Popes wanted them to have …it was impressive. Olivia stood and looked down the hallway that Eleanor Roosevelt did her infamous glide after her human rights declaration was submitted and adopted. It was an impressive building with an impressive history...

They visited the General Assemble Room…...where they could imagine all the talented men and women who sat at those desks…... most trying to keep the world from splitting apart. The looked at the podium…where some of the most famous (and infamous) men had spoken from. The podium where speeches had been made that were both …. both newsworthy and some so not newsworthy. Some memorable and those that should have been forgotten as soon as possible. It was a hard place to say "no……I don't want to work here". They both decided to wait until they had finished their tour of both then they would take time and talk…They could then note which one best met their present and their future needs …. their likes and dislikes.

In the meantime, every evening they did tourist things but had more fun than the average tourist. Through Mona they got tickets to see Hamilton, took a carriage ride, walked down Fifth Ave and strolled through Central Park holding hands. They had both experienced most of this before but now they were doing it as a couple. They even snuck in some personal time together the afternoon after the last day at the UN…. Neither felt comfortable spending "personal time" under the Pope roof…. they checked in at one of the most fashionable hotels for the afternoon which made it seem all more sinful. Olivia had never experienced this kind of deception and noted this would become a part of their things to do as a couple…... When later asked what they did that afternoon …. they said they were enjoying being tourist which was not really a lie...

. They stayed at the Pope's during their trip to the UN …. a decision made because of the location…... getting a ride to the building played into it. They stayed at the apartment the second week. That would also give them a feel …...choosing housing that was the best location to their job.

A trip to see godmother and grandmother reset them for the visit to Anderson the following week.

When they called the two ladies decided to host the two together … even though they would not have as much one on one they would have four days which worked out better. They arrived early in the day and spent the first night, and next day, at Granny Bess. At midday the second day were joined by Ms. Mary. They all spend the afternoon talking and doing chores for Granny Bess then all went together to Bess' favorite restaurant for dinner. … Ms. Mary was dropped back at home.

The next day they reversed…. the arrived at Mr. Mary's house had tea and spent the afternoon, and the next day doing chores. That night they picked Granny Bess up and the four-had dinner together at Ms. Mary's favorite restaurant then dropped Bess back at home. She joined them the next day for tea and a long visit where they shared stories and photos where they received their own family photo album…...one that could be passed on to their children.

At both houses…. the four talked…. helped pack clothes for the donation boxes…., cleaned out and tested holiday lights…..., picked fruit vegetables and worked in the garden ... All the things that made them forget the bad parts about the past year. It also remined them of the importance of family...

Both ladies reminded them to always make time for each other…. every day not just when it was convenient. Take a minute and hold each other. Don't forget to get a goodbye kiss …it could be the last one and never go to bed angry…talk it out. The two listened…soaking it all in thankful that they had people who cared enough to pass on their years of wisdom.

The next week it was time to visit the Anderson building, it's corporate office, the brain that made the business work. Mona Grant decided to visit New York during this visit where she would act as their unofficial tour guide. Anderson was as impressive as the UN. The company evolved from sailing and shipbuilding to textile manufacture with dabs in precious minerals and farming.

. One Anderson ancestor staked a gold claim during the original goldrush, but the real money was made when the other miners saw the trousers he was wearing. They did not tear, or rip, after weeks of wear... He soon turned an old tent into trousers. It really wasn't his idea it was his mother and aunts trying to keep up with ripped knees and torn pockets. When the other miners saw how durable his trousers were they all wanted a pair. He gave up his pickaxe for a sewing machine and before long every miner in shouting distance had a pair of trousers made from fabric spun in their New England Mills. Later, farmers and ranch hands started demanding the durable clothing and a lighter weight version of the cloth was created...

Their initial fortune was made dressing the working man. The company formed a branch on the west coast which invested in the Western Pacific the branch on the east coast invested in the Eastern Pacific…. a win win. Anderson was a company with a past…a good past. Everyone around them made money. When a supply trains moved west loaded with the lighter tent weigh fabric to be sewn into trousers…. an Alexander was among the groups.

The groups stopped along the way setting up temporary shops and soon the demand for their well-made long-lasting fabric was in demand from coast to coast. The fabric transported on railroads they had invested in... To increase sales a pair of warm all over underwear was included with the purchase of a pair of pants. This was needed because the fabric was stiff until it was "broken in". The Anderson's discovered the two for one was a great sales draw, a draw that continues to this day for retailers. The Popes were part of the builders and helped expand, manage and build the new mills needed to keep up the production….

Now the descendants of those early pioneers were trying to decide which patch they would take. They had two more years to decide but they both knew they needed to take the right classes and make the right contacts if they were going to be successful.

All to soon it was time to return to Harvard. During their two-week absence Huck and Charlie had perfected their new security device…a doorbell that could be assessed from a smart phone. That would provide security for the house for everyone in real time at the same time. Charlie and Huck kept the existence a secret for an entire school year to see how well it worked.

Soon it was being produced and by marketed by Charlie's father who was happy about his decision to send Charlie to Harvard.